Christian identification and practice have declined sharply over recent decades in the West, even in America. The Church of England seems to reel from crisis to crisis. Far right groups have tried to appropriate Christian symbols and identity. 

Yet even Christianity’s most devoted enemies find it hard to deny the sheer volume of the churches’ practical presence and good in communities across the world. A whole host of unlikely figures – from Jordan Peterson, Nick Cave, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Russell Brand, Elon Musk, Louise Perry, Paul Kingsnorth, Tom Holland, even Richard Dawkins – have been saying positive things about Christianity. And however much people’s institutional affiliation to religions has waned, their interest in the spiritual has not.

What is going on? What is the future for the church? In an increasingly unstable and dark world, will people return to or at least reconsider belief, or are we continuing to hear the ‘melancholy, long, withdrawing roar’ of faith?

The panelists were:

• Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics, BBC Television 
• Justin Brierley, broadcaster, author, and speaker  
• Madeleine Davies, senior writer for the Church Times 
• Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England 
• Mary Harrington, writer and author of Feminism Against Progress

The discussion was chaired by Senior Fellow, Dr Nick Spencer. Our director, Chine McDonald, introduced and closed the event.

You can also find the recording on your preferred platform or on The Church Times website.